Graphite characterization device and system

Abstract

A sampling device comprising: a body defining a sample receiving space; a sample collection port in communication with the sample receiving space; a sample support surface positioned within the sample receiving space; and an optical alignment and detection system, wherein the sample collection port is configured to receive a sample from a stream of material and permit delivery of the sample to the sample support surface within the sample receiving space, and wherein the confocal Raman microscope is configured to measure properties of the sample when the sample is supported on the sample support surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sampling device comprising:
 a body defining a sample receiving space;   a sample collection port in communication with the sample receiving space;   a sample support surface positioned within the sample receiving space; and   an optical alignment and detection system,   wherein the sample collection port is configured to receive a sample from a stream of material and permit delivery of the sample to the sample support surface within the sample receiving space, and wherein the confocal Raman microscope is configured to measure properties of the sample when the sample is supported on the sample support surface.   
     
     
         2 . The sampling device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sample collection tube coupled to and extending outwardly from the body, the sample collection tube having an interior space in communication with the sample receiving space of the body, wherein the collection tube defines the sample collection port. 
     
     
         3 . The sampling device of  claim 2 , wherein the sample collection tube is selectively moveable to a collecting position in which the sample collection port is oriented to receive the sample from the stream of material. 
     
     
         4 . The sampling device of  claim 3 , further comprising a rotational actuator coupled to the sample collection tube, wherein the rotational actuator is configured to selectively rotate at least a portion of the sample collection tube to selectively position the sample collection tube in the collecting position. 
     
     
         5 . The sampling device of  claim 4 , wherein the rotational actuator is configured to rotate the entire sample collection tube. 
     
     
         6 . The sampling device of  claim 4 , wherein the rotational actuator is configured to selectively rotate the at least a portion of the sample collection tube to selectively position the sample collection tube in a non-collecting position in which the sample collection port is not configured to receive material from the stream of material. 
     
     
         7 . The sampling device of  claim 4 , wherein the stream of material moves in a first direction along a material flow axis, and wherein in the collecting position, the sample collection port of the sample collection tube is positioned upstream of the sample receiving space of the body along the material flow axis. 
     
     
         8 . The sampling device of  claim 7 , wherein the first direction is a downward direction, wherein the material flow axis is a vertical axis, and wherein in the sample collecting position, the sample collection port of the sample collection tube is positioned above the sample receiving space of the body along the vertical axis. 
     
     
         9 . The sampling device of  claim 8 , wherein in the sample collecting position, the sample collection port of the sample collection tube faces in an upward direction along the vertical axis. 
     
     
         10 . The sampling device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plunger that is selectively moveable within the sample receiving space, wherein the plunger defines the sample support surface. 
     
     
         11 . The sampling device of  claim 10 , further comprising a compression structure positioned within the sample receiving space of the body between the plunger and the confocal Raman microscope, wherein the compression structure is selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the compression structure does not permit passage of the sample and is configured to cooperate with the plunger to compress the sample when the plunger is advanced toward the confocal Raman microscope. 
     
     
         12 . The sampling device of  claim 11 , wherein the compression structure comprises an actuated block. 
     
     
         13 . The sampling device of  claim 10 , wherein the body defines a sample outlet port in communication with the sample receiving space. 
     
     
         14 . The sampling device of  claim 13 , wherein the body defines at least one sweep port positioned between the sample outlet port and the confocal Raman microscope, wherein the at least one sweep port is configured to receive gas that flows through the sample receiving space to cause the sample to exit the sample receiving space through the sample outlet port. 
     
     
         15 . The sampling device of  claim 14 , further comprising a shield structure positioned within the sample receiving space of the body between the plunger and the confocal Raman microscope, wherein the shield structure is selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the shield structure does not permit passage of the sample and is configured to direct gas entering the at least one sweep port toward the sample outlet port. 
     
     
         16 . The sample device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical alignment and detection system is a Raman-based system. 
     
     
         17 . A system comprising:
 a reactor configured to produce a stream of material; and   a sampling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample collection port of the sampling device is configured to receive a sample from the stream of material.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the reactor is a gravity-fed reactor of a furnace. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 performing a reaction within a reactor to produce a stream of material;   receiving, within the sample collection port of the sampling device of  claim 1  a sample from the stream of material.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the reaction is a graphitization reaction. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the reactor is a gravity-fed reactor of a furnace.